Here is a short introduction to the Synod starting on 17 October 2021. It is a more relevant and inclusive way of being Church—not a top-down institution cut off from the people, and giving orders, but in touch will all members, and listening to everyone.
Synods in the Church
Etymologically, “synod” is a combination of two Greek words that mean “walking together.” Synods began after Second Vatican Council, a consultative body of the people of God to help Pope plan and propose on various topics and issues of the Church.
Basically, there are three major types of synods, namely, Ordinary Synods, Extraordinary Synods and Special Synods. The Ordinary Synods discuss on matters that need relevant guidelines for the Church. Extraordinary Synods discuss very serious issues or topics that require immediate attention. Special Synods treat of matters concerning Church in each region/continent. So far, there have been fifteen Ordinary Synods. The next ordinary synod is planned for October 2023. Synod is the topic of this Synod! Amused? The church is going to reflect together on walking together as a Church! That is called Synodality!
Process of a Synod
Each Synod focuses on a particular aspect of the life of the Church. For this, the Holy Father chooses a topic that needs urgent attention in the Church. He constitutes a core group of experts of with a secretariat at the Vatican. This secretariat begins to function at least a year or two before the synod date is announced. They work together to bring out a preparatory document called Lineamenta (an outline on the topic of the Synod). This preparatory document will be sent to all the churches of all the rites, dioceses and major superiors of religious congregations for their feedback. The feedback will be collated by the secretariat to bring out a more focussed document called Working Document which will be used during the synod as Instrumentum Laboris. The Synod Fathers (a technical name to indicate all those who participate in the Synod, namely men and women) discuss on the Instrumentum Laboris and articulate proposals to the pope for further consideration. These proposals are not published and are not the final decision of the Church. However, the Synod Fathers publish a short statement at the synod to the entire Church called Message to the People of God. The Holy Father, after going through the proposals and the Message to the People of God, promulgates in his own time, the official post synodal Apostolic Exhortation. The Synod fathers do not author any document.
Francis’ New Formula for Synod 2023
Earlier decision of the Synod in October 2022 was reprocessed by Pope Francis for the first time in the history of Synods. It runs from October 2021 to October 2023. The work will start from the faithful in the families, communities and parishes. Then it moves to dioceses, episcopal conferences, Continental Conferences and, finally, the Synod. The topic of the Synod, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission calls for structural and procedural changes in the synod and eventually in the Church. It is a new way being the Church—the synodal way!
This Synod comprises of three phases, between October 2021 and October 2023—a diocesan phase, a continental phase that will give life to two different Instrumentum Laboris, and finally a conclusive phase at the level of the Universal Church.
The diocesan phase, which begins on 17 October 2021, includes a Pre-Synod that is participated by all the people of God within the diocese. This is where the Church at ground zero functions! To help the pre-synod at the diocesan level, the Lineamenta and the Vademecum (handbook of resources and guidelines) will help the diocese to play an active role in the process towards the Synodality!
The Logo
The logo of the Synod, designed by Isabelle, a French artist, depicts a huge tree in the form of hands, cross and Holy Spirit, with the Holy Eucharist that shines like the Sun. It is from this Tree of Life, the Church represented by fifteen Silhouettes that indicate the entire humanity walking together (Synodal Church). Notice the bishop and the nun are not in front of the faithful, but among them!
Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB is the editor of Catechetics India, Secretary of Indian Catechetical Association, Coordinator of Education to Faith at Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia and the catechetical director of Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata.
Fr Gilbert Choondal SDB
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